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Why One Congressman Wants To Change The Name Of An Idaho Wilderness Area

Rocky Barker
/
Idaho Statesman
Congressman Mike Simpson looks up at Castle Peak in central Idaho.

During the 1970 gubernatorial race, Democrat Cecil Andrus made saving Castle Peak from mining a key issue in his campaign.

The mountain is the highest peak in the White Cloud Mountains in central Idaho.

Years later, Republican Congressman Mike Simpson revived an effort to get the area around the range protected with help from Andrus.

The Boulder White Clouds wilderness was created in 2015, protecting 275,000 acres.

Now, Simpson wants to rename the area for Andrus, who died in August. The congressman introduced a bill to do so in the House Committee on Natural Resources this week.
 

Find reporter Frankie Barnhill on Twitter @FABarnhill

Copyright 2017 Boise State Public Radio

Frankie Barnhill was the Senior Producer of Idaho Matters, Boise State Public Radio's daily show and podcast.

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